My lab studies the mechanisms governing transgene expression, stem cell engineering, and genetic strategies to enhance immunity against cancer.
The advent of technologies that permit efficient gene transfer in human primary cells creates novel therapeutic perspectives. Based on the use of recombinant oncoretroviruses and lentiviruses, we are investigating how to control transgene expression in vivo in hematopoietic stem cells and how to augment immune responses against tumor cells.
Our current studies on the first topic focus on the role of locus control regions and insulators in regulating the transcription of randomly integrated beta globin transgenes.
With respect to tumor immunity, we are exploring different strategies to target T cells to tumor cells, either by facilitating dendritic cell-T cell interactions or by enhancing the co-stimulation of T cells that engage tumor cells.
The Center for Cell Engineering (CCE) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center was established to foster research in cellular therapies. Our goal is to expand cell engineering research through a collaborative synergy between Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center physicians and scientists.
To attain this goal, the CCE is bringing together researchers who are investigating areas that encompass stem cell engineering, immune cell engineering, cell delivery and bone marrow transplantation, the transfer and regulation of genes in human cells, and gene repair. This physician-scientist partnership draws on researchers from both Memorial Hospital and the Sloan-Kettering Institute and will ultimately allow us to devise and implement innovative clinical investigations.
